Sonia Malhar breaks silence on alleged harassment by Jayasurya, says: ‘He grabbed me…’

Many female actors raised concerns when the Hema committee report was released. Sonia Malhar, who filed a sexual harassment complaint against actor Jayasurya, shared the details of the alleged incident

The Malayalam film industry is hardly an exception to the serious misconduct in Mollywood that has been highlighted by the Justice K Hema Committee report. This misconduct includes manipulation and exploitation of women through demands for sexual favours and blacklisting. There is widespread abuse and exploitation of women everywhere in cinema. Recently, Sonia Malhar, who accused actor Jayasurya of sexual harassment, shared information about the alleged incident.

While talking to the media, Malhar said, “It was the shooting location of the Malayalam film Pigman in Thodupuzha. When I came out of the toilet, someone grabbed me. It was actor Jayasurya. I pushed him away. He apologised and told me that he would not repeat it and that we should remain friends.”

Malhar also spoke about the criticism she faced after sharing her experience publicly. “After the Hema committee report came out, I was on a channel for discussion. The host asked me if I had had such an experience. I explained it on the radio. Later, I was heavily criticised on social media, with people saying that my allegations were fake and wondering why I had remained silent for so long. Some even accused me of doing it for money,” she said.

“My sons were irritated by all these allegations and asked me to reveal the name. That is why I am revealing it,” she added. The FIR was registered against Jayasurya on Friday following the complaint.

Kerala Police informed ANI, “Second FIR registered against actor Jayasurya under 354, 354A(A1)(I) 354D IPC. The case was registered after the statement of the complainant was recorded. FIR has been registered in Thiruvananthapuram and will be transferred to Thodupuzha police station.”

On Thursday, Sonia spoke out about the issue and revealed shocking incidents of abuse and exploitation during the early years of her career. “After that incident, I faced many problems. In films I worked on, payments were delayed and I was replaced after the film was announced in newspapers and on TV. After this news spread, a role that was promised to me was given to someone else,” she stated.

When Sonia Malhar heard that an actor from another state had also suffered similar horrible experiences, she felt ashamed and decided to come forward publicly. “It is outrageous that a woman from another state is not even given the respect she deserves. When a woman speaks out against the head of the Film Academy, you would expect some shame,” she added. Malhar said that after the Hema committee report came out, “the silence of many people” deeply “hurt” her.

Women recall sexual harassment in Malayalam film industry

After the publication of the Hema Commission report, several women from the Malayalam film industry reported incidents of sexual harassment. On August 28, the first FIR was registered against actor and CPI(M) MLA from Kollam, Mukesh M, on the complaint of actor Minu Muneer.

Kerala Police informed ANI on Thursday, “An FIR has been registered against actor Mukesh, CPI(M) MLA from Kollam constituency. The FIR has been registered based on the complaint of an actor.” The police further said that an additional formal complaint has been filed against actor Jayasurya on behalf of the same actor, under Section 354, which pertains to intent to outrage modesty.

Actors Mukesh M, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju and Idavela Babu were allegedly verbally and physically abused by Muneer while they were working together on film projects. Muneer spoke to ANI about her experiences and made several allegations of misconduct.

The allegations first came to light shortly after actor Siddique and director Ranjith resigned from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following individual allegations against them. The first place Muneer posted her allegations was on her Facebook page, where she described a series of episodes that began in 2013.

“I am writing to report series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse that I have been subjected to by Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, Jayasurya, Advocate Chandrasekharan, Production Controller Noble and Vichu,” Muneer wrote. She said the assault was the reason she moved to Chennai and left the Malayalam film industry.

(With PTI inputs)